Impact of reduced seeding rate on yield and grain quality

This leads, on the one hand, to a reduction in seed requirements, which has cost implications. On the other hand, however, the relationship between cost reduction and yield loss must be clarified. When reducing the seeding rate to approximately half (250 seeds/m² instead of 400 seeds/m²), it must be determined how high the yield losses are at these low seeding rates and whether compensation through increased tillering is possible. For winter cereals, results from trials in favorable locations are already available (Oberforster, 2001). There is also positive experience with very low seeding rates from northern Germany. There is considerable interest in this topic from both practitioners and the Knittelfeld District Chamber of Agriculture. However, the issue of weed infestation at reduced seeding rates must be investigated, and it must be determined whether this necessitates increased plant protection measures. Even though a stronger tillering of cereal plants can be assumed at lower seeding rates, weed infestation on areas in wetlands will probably be more severe than with cereals grown at higher seeding rates.